ACC offers new medical device manufacturing degree

Austin Community College (ACC) now offers a new degree in medical device manufacturing to prepare students to work in the area’s growing biomedical-device industry.

The associate degree program prepares students to design and fabricate medical devices. It includes the opportunity to earn certificates in addition to the two-year degree at ACC.

“Students learn the full scope of device design and development from product concept to deployment, and beyond,” says Dr. Alberto Quiñonez, ACC Electronics and Advanced Technologies Department chair. “Students get hands-on learning with advanced technologies such as 3D printing, computer-aided design & rapid prototyping. They graduate with the critical skills local employers need.”

Austin is home to more than 75 medical device and diagnostics companies. The Texas Workforce Commission projects continued growth over the next 10 years, with more than 35 percent growth for biomedical engineering technicians alone.

“We work with Central Texas businesses to develop the best curriculum for our students,” Quiñonez says. “Those partnerships lead to hands-on learning opportunities and internships.”

Students in the program take traditional classes along with new courses such as introduction to medical device, 3D fabrication, instrumentation and data analysis, and technical drafting. Students also may participate in an undergraduate research project.